Page 90 of The Duke's Impossible Deal
She was falling—no, he was lowering her onto the bed. She could see the outline of his body above her, quivering in the moonlight.
The sound of their heartbeats seemed to fill the air between them. Her breath caught as she felt his fingers on her skin, his tongue slipping between his lips.
Suddenly, a loud knock sounded at the door.
“Is someone knocking?” Rowen twisted, but Tobias caught her chin with his hand and turned her back to face him, kissing her so fiercely it drove the thought out of her mind.
The knock came again, more insistent this time.
Rowen’s head spun, intoxicated by Tobias’s scent.
“Shouldn’t you answer it?”
“They can wait,” he growled, claiming her mouth with his own.
“Your Grace? Your Grace?” It was Mr. Turner’s voice. “Forgive the lateness of the hour, but there is a visitor.”
“A visitor?” Rowen breathed.
Tobias looked up. “Tell them to come back at a civilized hour.” His voice was rough as he traced a finger along her torso in a way that made her heart skip several beats. “I am busy.”
“But Your Grace—” Mr Turned began, and Rowen thought she could hear a tinge of panic in his voice.
“I do not care if the King himself has come to call,” Tobias snapped. “Whoever has come to visit can come back another day.”
“Your Grace, it is about the Marquess of Ewelme.” Mr. Turner’s voice was muffled.
Rowen’s brow furrowed, and she propped herself on her elbows.
Above her, Tobias froze. “What about him?”
“Lord Ewelme is in the study, Your Grace.” Mr. Tanner’s voice sounded far away. “He is alive.”
Rowen clapped a hand over her mouth. Her brother was not dead. Her brother was at her house. She looked at Tobias. His face was a mask of frustration and confusion.
“But I thought…” she trailed off. “How can this be?”
Tobias was instantly on his feet. “I am not sure, but I mean to find out.” Then, he called out, “Tell the Marquess I will be down in a minute.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
Rowen heard Mr. Tanner’s footsteps disappear down the hallway.
“I am going to get to the bottom of this one way or another.” Tobias clenched his fists. “I swear it.”
“I should change.” Rowen slid off the bed and retrieved her dressing gown from the floor.
James is alive?
Tobias nodded but did not look at her. He was tugging on loose shirt and a dressing gown. His hair was mussed, and Rowen reached up to smooth her own.
“Do you think it’s really him?” she asked.
“I do not know.” Tobias moved towards the door. “I cannot imagine someone pretending to be him.”
“If it is him, what does that mean for…?” Rowen bit her lip, unable to finish her question.
What does that mean for us?
